Summary of the Experiment:
The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the SEDMIX device, which utilizes thrusters to suspend fine sediments in reservoirs, mitigating sedimentation issues. Conducted at EPFL, the experiment focused on understanding the influence of thruster-induced turbulence on sediment suspension. Reservoir sedimentation reduces storage capacity, impacting hydropower production, dam safety, and flood management. The experimental setup involved a prismatic tank where different thruster configurations and parameters were tested to determine their impact on the hydrodynamics and sediment suspension.
UVP-DUO Usage:
The Met-Flow UVP-DUO was employed to measure the velocity profiles and turbulent kinetic energy in the tank. Three 2 MHz long-range UVP transducers were used, mounted on a horizontal rod at the top of the water column and oriented downward. The transducers were systematically moved to create a two-dimensional grid of velocity profiles. Key parameters for the UVP-DUO setup included:
- Ultrasonic Frequency: 2 MHz
- Transducer Diameter: 24 mm
- Number of Cycles: 4
- Channel Width: 1.48 mm
- Number of Repetitions: 128
- Sound Velocity: 1480 m/s
- Output Voltage: 90 V
- Number of Samples: 1024
Result of the Experiment and How UVP-DUO Contributed:
The experiment showed that the thruster-induced turbulence was effective in keeping fine sediments in suspension. The velocity profiles measured by the UVP-DUO provided detailed insights into the hydrodynamic behavior within the tank. The data allowed for the calculation of turbulent kinetic energy, which was critical for identifying the optimal geometric and operational parameters for the SEDMIX device. The UVP-DUO's precise measurements enabled the accurate characterization of the flow conditions, which is essential for optimizing sediment suspension and subsequent release.
The UVP-DUO significantly contributed to the study by providing high-resolution velocity profiles that were crucial for understanding the interaction between thruster-induced turbulence and sediment suspension. The data collected helped to identify the configurations that maximized sediment suspension, thus supporting the development of more efficient sediment management strategies for reservoirs. This research underscores the importance of UVP technology in advancing our understanding of fluid dynamics and sediment management in hydraulic engineering.
How UVP-DUO Helps to Characterize Thruster-Induced Turbulence for Fine Sediment Suspension